I miss this homeboy. He’s Matthew, son of my good friend Hyacinth and former summer grunt employee for the past five years…and all-around darling boy masquerading as an eighteen-year-old freshman in college.

I miss him. He left two weeks ago, and I feel a void on the ranch. He was here all summer, living with Cowboy Josh and being my slave. I saw him more than his mother did, more than his father did. I’m missing the little twerp. He had become a fixture.

You know what I used to do? I used to call him and say things like, “Matthew! Matthew! There’s a dead horse on my porch!”

He never came. Even as a fourteen-year-old, eager to help in any way he could, he never came.

The little butthead. Come to think of it, maybe I don’t miss him after all. Maybe I’m glad he went to college. Maybe I’m ready for some new blood around here. Blood that will jump when I say how high, blood that will fall for my pranks without question.

And okay, I guess I miss him a little. The little butthead smart mouth sweet little sugar lump.

Heh heh. Yes, I called you a sugar lump, Matthew. Tell THAT to your fraternity brothers! That’ll teach you not to to come remove nonexistent twelve foot rattlers from my toilet.

Speaking of sugar lumps.

Good gracious, but if this one ever goes to college I’ll have to hang it up.

bjdfh On Wednesday, August 26 at 4:12 pm

Holy cow what a handsome young cowboy. It’s a sad shame he isn’t coming to east to the carolina’s for college, I bet my 18 year old college freshman cowgirl would be begging to cut hay year round if he was here to help out!

I feel like a terrible old cougar saying this, but Matthew is a good-lookin’ kid (and I do mean that in a non-creepy way! Mind you I suddenly discovered what all the fuss was about with that child who stars in the Twilight movie the other day… is that just wrong, or what! A ‘teenager-ish vegeterian vampire’ piques interest of middle-aged beef producing realist… freaky!!).

And Charlie… well, Charlie is FOR us disturbed womenfolk, I’d say. Especially in that get-up!
BB

it’s a good thing doggies don’t go off to college, or i really would be an empty nester.
–mari

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cb On Thursday, August 27 at 12:40 am

Sorry, but that dog would make me hide in bed with the covers over my head, but that BOY…..different story !!!

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Amy Reyes On Thursday, August 27 at 12:41 am

your basset hound is an angel.

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Debbie On Thursday, August 27 at 2:19 am

I have an 18 year old…you can have him! ;/

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Cindy On Thursday, August 27 at 4:45 am

That young man is cute………….. OMG….. did you say he is going to college? really? I would feel a real void on NOT seeing him out my door too. Keep us updated on what his plans are? CPA, Doc, Attor? or maybe just come home to work the land. I wish him well. Love C

Cindy On Thursday, August 27 at 5:00 am

PS, I baby sit (knit, she never wakes up) ONE baby girl on Tue/Tues for one hour (I have one 18 yr old Daugter who is not very close). Her nanny goes to water aerobics for that hour. Le Mer, (nanny) is in her SIXTIES and she has TEN children (set of twins in that mix). Ree I would love to have another babe….. do it…. but it might hurt some.

And I have twin boys (3 yrs old/blond hair/blue eyes) next door (so much like your sweet boys….. doomed to be lady killers?). Single mom and she works as ER nurse. I feel so lucky to have sweet young ones all around.

Think on it. You need another babe wild women. Oh but we might lack in photos if you are too busy and and cooking, decoratings and watching the fam. in the AM. Love always C

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Cindy On Thursday, August 27 at 5:06 am

Guessing he could never envision what ONE”Ree” photo could do for his ego. Good job Ree.

Oh best wishes to Matthew. I hate/love this time of year. Summer comes to an end, but new beginnings at school. Ahhh…. school.

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Marci On Thursday, August 27 at 7:46 am

Ah, college — I cried every time we dropped one of our kids off, no matter which kid or how many times I went through it. It just plain hurt! But I have a feeling Matt will do just fine. All the little co-eds are going to take one look at him and their hearts will start to pitter patter. Yep, they’ll be throwing themselves at him.

I get up for my Charlie every day, too, Ree — he starts boofing for his breakfast, I sneak a peek at those wrinkles, the eyes, the ears, and that’s it…….

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Melisa On Thursday, August 27 at 8:17 am

Woo woo… Matthew is handsome.

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Laura On Thursday, August 27 at 9:14 am

Oh my. OH MY. That is one cute hunk of a cowboy!

Charlie ain’t so bad either. Are either one of them single? hehehe.

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Elizabeth On Thursday, August 27 at 10:31 am

Is there anyway possible that I could fix this cowboy up with my daughter? lol

Good lord, they don’t get any cuter. Charlie, that is. Not that Matthew’s not cute. But Charlie, oh Charlie. My heart beats for you Charlie. Little schmuffin.

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susan in fl On Thursday, August 27 at 4:12 pm

I can’t believe the indignities that poor Charely must suffer. Poor baby. Hey Charley you can come to my house we’ll send Kirby there no one will know the difference but you and me. Until they try to dress him up. LOL

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Jilene aka NONA On Saturday, August 29 at 9:33 am

I just love Charlie! Hes the cutest sugarlump!

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amber On Sunday, August 30 at 11:36 am

I want to come be you new blood… I will jump for quite a while, and by the time I stop, you can start with all my chitlens… 4 of em… and that man of mine wants to be pushed around by that man of yours too… how could you ask for better help?!

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Tammie On Monday, December 14 at 3:45 am

MMMMMMMMMMMM……………….now, I not many men catch my eye……….but THAT one does!!! WHEW!! LOL, I am enoiying your blog immensley!!

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Saturday, April 4: Freezer Fundamentals! While ranch work is going on outside, freezer work is going on inside! I share four more of my favorite freezer basics, which can be made into a whole bunch of different meals.